The government has agreed to compensate Phaneroo Ministries International for land needed to construct a new access road to the Uganda Heart Institute’s (UHI) specialized cardiac hospital in Naguru, ending a dispute that had threatened to delay the project.
The decision follows unsuccessful negotiations between the church and the institute, prompting the matter to be referred to President Yoweri Museveni for intervention.
Speaking about the development, UHI Executive Director Dr John Omagino said the institute remains on course to have the new cardiac hospital operational by June 2027.
He said a modern tertiary cardiac hospital requires several access routes to ensure efficient movement of ambulances, patients and hospital traffic.
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“Our master plan provides for multiple access roads to facilitate the smooth movement of patients, emergency vehicles and hospital traffic,” Dr Omagino said, adding that compensating affected property owners was the most practical solution.
Although the compensation package has not yet been finalized, Dr. Omagino said the planned ambulance access road has already been incorporated into the hospital’s master plan.
He explained that the disputed land will provide a dedicated route for ambulances, complementing the facility’s two existing entrances.
According to Dr Omagino, planners determined that depending on only two access roads would make it difficult to handle emergency cases efficiently, especially once the hospital begins receiving the high number of patients expected at the specialized center.
With the land issue close to being resolved, Uganda Heart Institute Board Chairperson Dr. James Magara said preparations are now focused on ensuring a smooth relocation from the institute’s current premises at Mulago National Referral Hospital to the new campus in Naguru without interrupting patient services.
Dr. Magara said the institute currently employs about 330 staff but estimates that the new hospital will require approximately 1,425 workers across different professional disciplines.
He noted that government funding would be required ahead of the hospital’s opening to recruit, train, and prepare the additional workforce needed to operate the expanded facility.
Construction of the hospital, located on a 10-acre site in Naguru, is continuing, with a recent mid-term review indicating that civil works are about 55% complete after 16 months of construction.
Once completed, the specialized cardiac hospital is expected to strengthen Uganda’s ability to diagnose and treat complex cardiovascular diseases while reducing the number of patients who travel abroad to access specialized heart care.
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